Bettman was inspired by his time spent in the South — his college days at the University of Georgia, vacations spent at the beach and his son’s experiences at the University of Tennessee. He wanted to bring that Southern culture to the Midwest through the clothing sold at Jake’s.
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“You have to enjoy and appreciate that culture - one of friendliness and adventure and activity. Some of it is beach life, lake life, university Greek life,” Bettman said. “We’re learning as we go, what brands costumers are looking for.”
Jake’s isn’t named after anyone in particular, Bettman said. When the company was coming up with a name for the retailer, they figured no one has ever met a person named Jake that they didn’t like.
Now, the brand is represented by the Bettman’s newest member of the family — a golden doodle puppy named Jake. Jake “The Tog Dog” Bettman even has his own Instagram account now, and visits local stores as the new mascot of the retailer.
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Launched in 2015, Jake’s Toggery has locations at The Greene, the Liberty Center in Liberty Twp. and Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus. The retailer is doing a soft launch of its e-commerce site during the holiday season, and will also launch its own clothing brand in mid-2018.
The location at The Greene is also getting a face-lift and moving to a retail space between the Apple Store and Bath & Body Works.
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